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Long Island Water Quality Challenge (LIWQC)

A STEAM Challenge that invites students in grades 6-12 to join the effort to tackle nitrogen pollution.

About the Challenge:

As part of the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP), the Long Island Water Quality Challenge promotes project-based learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) in Long Island schools and helps students develop a greater understanding of how their classroom curriculum can be applied to protecting Long Island’s crucial water resources – with a specific focus on reducing or eliminating nitrogen pollution. This competition also connects students, teachers and their communities to the overall LINAP initiative.

Student teams will choose from one of two Water Quality Challenge categories that is feasible and meaningful to them and their community.

The two STEAM Challenge project categories are:

   (1) Low Input Landscaping

   (2) Stormwater Treatment

The STEAM competition is open to any NYS accredited educational institution on Long Island (in Nassau and Suffolk counties) that serves students in grades 6-12.

The Long Island Water Quality Challenge is a great opportunity for schools to play a role in protecting local water resources while improving school grounds. On Long Island you are never far from surface waters (and groundwater); that holds true for most schools in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Stormwater runoff on school property can transport nitrogen pollution (along with other contaminants) through the watershed and into our coastal waterways. Excess nitrogen in surface waters can cause eutrophication (excess algae growth or “bloom”). Toxic algal blooms lead to low oxygen conditions, fish kills, and degraded wetlands and marine habitats. Excess nitrogen in groundwater can result in drinking water high in nitrate (a form of nitrogen) which poses a threat to human health.

Format for the Project Proposals

Teams may use this recommended format for their STEAM Challenge project proposals.

Download Format Guide

Launch Date:

November 16, 2020

Letters of Interest Due:

February 1, 2021

Project Proposals Due:

April 1, 2021

Request For Expressions of Interest:

For details about submission requirements and how to submit a letter of interest, PLEASE SEE THE REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST. 

Resources:

Schools and their teams are encouraged to explore the following websites and resources for information on stormwater treatment and low input landscaping.

RESOURCEWEBSITE
Long Island Nitrogen Action Planhttps://lirpc.org/our-work/long-island-nitrogen-action-plan
Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation Districthttp://www.nassauswcd.org/stormwater.html
Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation Districthttps://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/soilwaterconservationdistrict
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau Countyhttp://ccenassau.org/gardening
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk Countyhttp://ccesuffolk.org/gardening
Watershed Treatment Model (Center for Watershed Protection)https://owl.cwp.org/mdocs-posts/watershed-treatment-model-wtm-2013/
Suffolk County’s Healthy Lawns Clean Water websitehttp://healthylawns.suffolkcountyny.gov
USGS/New York Water Science Centerhttps://www.usgs.gov/centers/ny-water
Resources about NPS Pollution (USEPA)https://www.epa.gov/nps/resources-students-and-educators-about-nonpoint-source-nps-pollution
Green Infrastructure Basics (USEPA)https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/what-green-infrastructure
Storm Smart Schools Guide (USEPA)https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-10/documents/storm_smart_schools_print_final_071317.pdf
Rain Garden Networkhttp://www.raingardennetwork.com
Rain Garden Design Guidehttps://nemo.uconn.edu/raingardens
Nature Works Everywhere – Rain Garden info
https://www.natureworkseverywhere.org/resources/design-and-build-rain-garden/
The Making of a Rain Garden at Centerport Beachhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g30aZq_ZPTk
Bay Friendly Yard E-Book (by Save the Great South Bay)https://savethegreatsouthbay.org/take-action/bay-friendly-yards-pledge/

View Past LIWQ Challenge Information here.

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